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–+ servings
Baked chicken and orzo casserole garnished with chopped green herbs on top in a glass square dish.

Creamy Chicken And Orzo Bake

Nataliia
When you need an easy and delicious meal idea, try this creamy chicken and orzo bake. This easy casserole dish brings together creamy orzo pasta, tender chicken tights, bright tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6
Calories 345 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 deep 7x11 inch baking dish
  • aluminum foil

Ingredients
  

  • 1.2 pounds (about 5 ea) boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 cups orzo pasta
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 10-12 cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ½ teaspoon (optional) fresh thyme leaves
  • 1.5 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F and have deep 7x11 inch baking dish ready.
  • Dice chicken tights in bite size pieces. Season them with salt, paprika, garlic powder and black pepper.
  • In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add seasoned chicken pieces and cook them over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring often until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer it and any juices into a clean plate .
  • Add the remaining olive oil into the same skillet. Add halved cherry tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook them over medium heat, stirring very often for about 1-2 minutes or until they become aromatic.
  • Add 2 tablespoon butter and 2 cups orzo to the skillet. Toast orzo over medium heat for about 1-2 minutes, stirring it often. Do not toast it too long, as it can burn quickly.
  • Add 2 cups chicken broth to the skillet. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 3-5 minutes so the pasta partially cooks.
  • In a deep baking dish, pour the partially cooked orzo along with the remaining contents from the skillet. Add there cooked chicken, crumbled feta cheese, thyme leaves, and the remaining 1 cup of broth. Mix everything to distribute the ingredients evenly.
  • Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake it at 375°F for about 25-30 minutes or until orzo is cooked. Sprinkle the dish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

You can make this dish on one pan, by using oven safe skillet or a dutch oven.
Add more salt to the broth to your taste.
You can cook the chicken thighs whole, but it is more convenient to have them bite size.

Nutrition

Calories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 22.9gProtein: 26.2gFat: 14.2gSodium: 472mgSugar: 1.3g
Keyword chicken and orzo bake, orzo and chicken one pot dish
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